Fed: Boat intercepted near Ashmore Islands

AAP General News (Australia)
08-02-2001
Fed: Boat intercepted near Ashmore Islands

The federal government says customs officials have intercepted a boat carrying 80 suspected
illegal immigrants near Ashmore Islands.

The 25-metre Indonesian inter-island ferry was sighted heading towards the Ashmore
Islands area during a routine Customs Coastwatch surveillance flight at about 11am (WST).

Justice and Customs Minister CHRISTOPHER ELLISON says the boat is being escorted to
Ashmore Islands, off the West Australian coast.

Senator ELLISON says about 80 people, believed to be of Middle Eastern origin, and
five Indonesian crew members are on board the vessel.

Although seaworthy, the vessel will be assessed and destroyed at sea to reduce the
risk of unwanted disease being brought into Australia.

It is the first suspect illegal entrant vessel intercepted by Customs since June.

Senator ELLISON says 53 suspect illegal vessels, carrying 4,295 people, arrived in
Australia last financial year.

AAP RTV lm/mjm/jn

KEYWORD: BOAT (CANBERRA)

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